I am most certainly phobic. I had huge fillings done as a young child with no anaesthesia, it is the most frightening and painful thing I can remember. (and I have been through childbirth four times). I go to a local NHS dentist that also provides IV sedation. I only go because I found out the hard way many years’ ago that a dental emergency is more to be feared than going regularly. My husband books check-ups and doesn’t tell me until the day I am going. I cry at check ups and I only let the dentist put a mirror in my mouth. The dentists change a lot at my practice and so I regret that I am unable to form any sort of real trusting relationship with them.

I have had general anaesthetics for simple work for over 20 years, but now that the IV sedation is much improved, I have this. I can’t ever invisage a day when I am not asleep for treatment. I feel quite a failure on this, I am well-educated and completely unable to rationalise my way out of this fear. I also feel very angry that as a child I was abused and damaged this way by a person in a position of trust.

Can I ever expect to get over this and have treatment like everyone else, or should my attitude be that at least I face my nemesis and go to the dentist even if I do have sedation?

kind regards 

hello, im due to undergo sedation treatment to have a tooth removed. I am a very nervous patient and i have just read the information sent to me by the sedation clinic that i am to attend and it say’s i will be fully awake through the treatment but unaware of what is really going on and the thought of being awake scares me will i truely not be able to feel my tooth being pulled out or can i ask to be refered to my hospital too be put under general anaesthetic?

I need to find a dentist in Hampshire who is good with phobia and stressed clients.
I have multiple problems and have actually stopped mixing with people because of the state of my mouth.
I had a 7 part bridge 6 years ago which went badly wrong and I now have multiple rotten teeth and advanced gum disease.
I am absolutely terrified and actually feel sick writing this.
I know I cannot go on much longer with these problems but finding a dentist who can help gives me ‘brain fog’ . I am a pensioner but have looked into taking a loan out to pay for my treatment.

My daughter has a fear of the dentist and refuses to get any treatment done. She has explained that she hates the smell, the noises, the feeling of the dentists gloves in her mouth. She gets sweaty, shaky legs and says her heart races. She is 9 years old and we really struggle with getting her to the dentist. Last week she let the dentist look in her mouth, and puff a little air, but will not let her clean off the tartar which is gathering round her new big teeth.

We were going to try a relaxation CD. Are there any you would recommend?